Five Ways to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo In the Neighborhood

Spanish for “the fifth of May,” Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican-American holiday that commemorates the Mexican army’s victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. In the United States, the holiday has become known as an annual celebration of Mexican culture and for some, this entails partaking in a lively fiesta or simply heading over to a local eatery for a taste of Mexican flavor.

Here's a list of five ways you can celebrate Cinco de Mayo in the neighborhood:

1. Cerritos College Cinco de Mayo Celebration -  Cerritos College will be holding its annual Cinco de Mayo Celebration from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Falcon Square on campus. Join the celebration and listen to speakers honoring the true meaning of this holiday.
2. Artesia's Cinco de Mayo Fiesta on Saturday, May 6 - Immerse yourself in Mexican culture and celebration through the City of Artesia's special Cinco de Mayo fiesta this Saturday at . The event will be held from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and attendees can enjoy a variety of games, food, music, mariachis, folk dances and much more. For more information on the fiesta call the City's Parks & Recreation Dept. at (562) 407-1723.
3. El Torito - restaurant in Cerritos is offering a variety of Cinco de Mayo special including $2 off Cadillac Margaritas, and $2 specials on tacos, taquitos, and wings from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.
4. Shipmates Restaurant and Sports Bar - Local favorite is having an all day special of $6.99 for a Ceviche dinner, and offering a $6 16-oz. glass of Pacifico beer. And, you get to take the glass home with you as a keepsake!
5. El Pescador Restaurant - Drive over to nearby Hawaiian Gardens and enjoy authentic Mexican dining at El Pescador Restaurant. Try their always popular Happy Hour specials, which include $3 Margaritas and $2 Beers. Another can't miss treat is their Fiesta Platter featuring taquitos and quesadillas for just $6. And for some of the best tacos in the area, try El Pescador's tasty $1 tacos. These specials are good from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Do you know of any other restaurants around the area where you can enjoy a variety of other Mexican dishes? And if you’re staying home, what are your favorite Mexican-style recipes? What tips do you have for enjoying a fun, spicy Cinco de Mayo this year?